Texans wide receiver Trindon Holliday breaks away from Panthers wide receiver Kealoha Pilares (81) on his way to a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Texans wide receiver Trindon Holliday breaks away from Panthers wide receiver Kealoha Pilares (81) on his way to a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

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Texans defensive tackle Shaun Cody (95) and linebacker Bradie James (53) stop Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) at the line of scrimmage.

Texans defensive tackle Shaun Cody (95) and linebacker Bradie James (53) stop Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) at the line of scrimmage.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

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Texans quarterback Matt Schaub absorbs a hit from Panthers defensive back Captain Munnerlyn as he throws a pass that was intercepted.

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub absorbs a hit from Panthers defensive back Captain Munnerlyn as he throws a pass that was intercepted.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

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Texans head coach Gary Kubiak argues a pass-interference call near the goal line.

Texans head coach Gary Kubiak argues a pass-interference call near the goal line.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

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Texans running back Arian Foster fumbles as he is hit by Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly.

Texans running back Arian Foster fumbles as he is hit by Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

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The Texans defense swarms to make a stop against the Panthers.

The Texans defense swarms to make a stop against the Panthers.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

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Texans coach Gary Kubiak leads his team to the field.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak leads his team to the field.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

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Texans quarterback Matt Schaub tosses a few warmup throws.

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub tosses a few warmup throws.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

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Texans running back Arian Foster stretches before the game.

Texans running back Arian Foster stretches before the game.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

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Texans' Holliday knows highlight-reel TD will not be enough

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By Keith Cannon

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Trindon Holliday’s 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown Saturday against the Panthers wasn’t a statement, according to the dynamic but diminutive receiver.

But as an attention-getter, it wasn’t bad.

“It’s my third year, and I’ve got the playbook now,” said the former LSU standout, whose NFL career has been held back by injuries. “I just have to come out and show the coaches that I can be consistent and make plays.”

That he did, several times over, in the Texans’ 26-13 victory over Carolina, most notably the long special-teams score with four minutes left in the first quarter to stake the Texans to a 10-3 lead.

And as far as kickoff return touchdowns go, Holliday’s sprint to the end zone couldn’t have looked easier, as he was barely touched after gathering the ball at his own 10.

‘I found a seam’

“I think maybe one guy hit me, then I found a seam and just hit it and gave it everything I had from there,” said Holliday, who said he couldn’t remember the last time he returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

While in college, he was as well known as a sprinter on the track team. He’s also run a sub-4.3 40-yard dash at NFL combine.

Football has been a little more of a challenge for Holliday, who at 5-5 is the shortest player in the NFL.

Saturday, he helped his cause with a couple of other good returns. He had a 33-yard return on a kickoff from 9 yards deep in the end zone and had two punt returns of 10 yards each.

Those moments haven’t happened nearly often enough for the 26-year-old during the first two years of his career, during which he’s dealt with injuries including a fractured thumb and a pulled hamstring. He was limited to one game in 2011, spending much of the season on the practice squad.

“Those were hard injuries to come back from,” he said. “But I think I’ve had a pretty good offseason. You always have room for improvement, and I’m just trying to play with more confidence.”

Room to grow

That was noted by special teams coach Joe Marciano on Saturday, but with reservations.

“Let’s not anoint him just yet,” he said of Holliday. “He’s a big talent with a lot of room to grow. The touchdown was great, but …”

Then Marciano started a point-by-point dissection of some things Holliday could have done better on his other returns, ending with, “I’ll know better when I see the video.”

As Holliday said, it’s a big year for him to get attention. And, for better or worse, it’s starting early.

“It’s an intense job,” he said. “You just have to concentrate and do the best you can,”